Sending files by email works well for millions of computer owners. However, what do you do if the file is too large for email? A few days ago, I wrote about one possible solution, Transfer Big Files, at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/12/transfer-big-files.html. Indeed, that solution works well and I recommend it for sending files to someone else who does not have Dropbox installed and perhaps does not possess the technical knowledge to install and configure Dropbox.
However, millions of computer users do have Dropbox installed, as it is a great file backup and copying program. Most people use it to only share files amongst computers they own, such as copying files from a desktop computer to one's own laptop system or perhaps from the office computer to a home computer. However, Dropbox also has many other uses.
If you want to send one file or even thousands of files to someone else who already has Dropbox installed, there's an easy way to do so. In fact, that person might also update the files and all the new files will be copied to your system(s). I find Dropbox is a great method of sharing genealogy databases with cousins, as long as we are all using the same genealogy program on our Windows or Macintosh systems. I also use it to share family photographs with other relatives who are interested. Hopefully, they will add their own scanned photos to the same shared folder which results in copies of those photos being transferred to my computer.
Macworld Video has created a two-minute video tutorial that shows how to share files with another Dropbox user. It shows how to use Dropbox's free software and cloud storage service. Dropbox also offers extra paid storage, an iOS app, and full folder syncing between Dropbox users.
The video is written for Macintosh users but Dropbox is about 99% the same on Windows and about 98% the same on Linux. Any Dropbox user should be able to watch this video and then apply the information to his or her own system, regardless of the operating system.
You can watch the Sharing Files with Dropbox video at http://youtu.be/NqbBgo96QYw or click on the image below:
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